Winvic is Delivering Eaton’s Centre of Excellence for Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation at Daedalus

Winvic Construction Ltd,  has announced its appointment by Graftongate Developments on behalf of Royal London Asset Management, to deliver a 176,000 sq ft facility at Daedalus.

Also known as Solent Airport, Deaedalus is a business park to the west of Portsmouth, with a focus on aviation and advanced manufacturing.

Winvic is constructing a single-storey warehouse for end user Eaton, an engineering company which specialises in manufacturing components for the aviation industry. The new facility will replace the engineer’s current site in Fareham at Abbey Works, which has been operational since 1960.

Winvic undertook the demolition of the existing 553 sq ft aircraft hangar and the construction of a new warehouse, incorporating two storey integral office accommodation. The offices will include a ground floor reception core and open plan offices on the first and second floors, which will receive a full CAT A fit-out. External works will include yards, hardstanding, car parking, landscaping, drainage and mains services connections.

The sustainable facility will incorporate the latest Industry 4.0 technologies and target EPC A+ and BREEAM Outstanding ratings.

The new unit will provide capacity for future increases in aircraft production volume and ensure that Eaton is at the forefront of sustainable, cryogenic fuel and inserting system technologies for the next generation of aircraft.

Danny Nelson, Managing Director of Industrial, Distribution and Logistics at Winvic, said: “Winvic is pleased to be the chosen construction partner for this centre of excellence in advanced manufacturing and innovation, which will be a significant asset to Fareham and the wider Southampton area.  We’re proud to be working once again with Graftongate Developments and Royal London Asset Management, and we look forward to bringing our advanced manufacturing sector expertise to deliver this new facility to the highest sustainability standards.”

Matt Price, general manager of Eaton’s Fuel Systems Business Unit, said, “Eaton is delighted to start the construction of our new site at Daedalus, following the signing of the long-term lease with Royal London Asset Management, and Graftongate as the principal developer. The new facility represents a significant investment for Eaton in our Fuel Systems business, ensuring we retain our market-leading competitive position through the implementation of cutting-edge technology and production systems. It demonstrates our commitment to our employees, our customers, the local area, and the wider UK manufacturing base.”

James Martyn-Smith BSc (Hons), Construction Director at Graftongate, said: “We’re pleased to be partnering with Winvic on this centre of excellence for the future of aviation and advanced manufacturing. Their proven expertise in delivering complex, sustainable facilities makes them the ideal contractor for this strategically important project. This development not only supports Eaton’s long-term growth ambitions but also strengthens the region’s reputation as a hub for innovation in aerospace and engineering. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this will have on the local economy and wider UK manufacturing sector.”

Cllr Simon Martin, executive leader of Fareham Borough Council, said, “Eaton has been a major employer in Fareham for decades, so it is really good news that we are retaining them in the area.”

Construction is due to complete at the end of 2026, and the site is expected to be fully operational by Q3 of 2027.